Best to not clean coins. Vinegar, Coke, Sauce and Electrolysis are all methods that damage coins.

As a coin collector I agree, to an extent. The aim is to clear off all non-coin surface material and all those methods etch into the coin surface. But clearly you need to be able to do some form of basic cleaning to be able to identify and classify the coin correctly.

Another BUT, if you aren't a serious collector, then use whatever method that you are happy with and that is safe to use.

Best to not clean coins. Vinegar, Coke, Sauce and Electrolysis are all methods that damage coins.

As a coin collector I agree, to an extent. The aim is to clear off all non-coin surface material and all those methods etch into the coin surface. But clearly you need to be able to do some form of basic cleaning to be able to identify and classify the coin correctly.

Another BUT, if you aren't a serious collector, then use whatever method that you are happy with and that is safe to use.

Rob.

I agree, most coins that come out of the ground aren't in a state that is worth anything to a collector, and there are plenty of coins being sold on the market that are in excellent circulated or uncirculated condition. I am happy to clean most of my coins purely as keepsakes from my detecting adventures. Probably the only coins that I don't touch are older bronze coins in excellent condition with a nice patina, or some of the early silvers that come out of the ground in nearly the same state as when they were dropped.